Author Topic: Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft  (Read 3058 times)

Offline Allan F

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Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft
« on: November 03, 2021, 03:47:18 PM »
In a recent discussion, I postulated that there has been an evacuation test of an airliner, where the test persons were promised a financial reward, if they were among the first out of the aircraft. This experiment led to congestion around narrow areas in the aircraft, slow evac, hurt testpersons, and ultimately led to a change in the interior design of airliners, giving more space to move around tight areas.

But I can't find the study. Does anybody know what I'm on about?
Well, it is like this: The truth doesn't need insults. Insults are the refuge of a darkened mind, a mind that refuses to open and see. Foul language can't outcompete knowledge. And knowledge is the result of education. Education is the result of the wish to know more, not less.

Offline Obviousman

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Re: Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2021, 04:08:38 PM »
Yep, I know the one. Let me see if I can find it.

Offline Obviousman

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Re: Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2021, 04:21:57 PM »
See Aircraft Evacuations Onto Escape Slides and Platforms I: Effects of Passenger Motivation, DOT/FAAAM-96/18.

From this page:  https://www.flightglobal.com/do-aircraft-evacuation-tests-work/82508.article
Quote
In this study, the 'competitive' group were offered a financial bonus of $50 to be among the first 25% passengers to evacuate the arcraft. However, the passengers in the competitve trials "...(became) more aggressive and climbing over seats, outmaneuvering other passengers, etc. to get out quickly" resulting in broken over seat backs, among others. I suspect participant safety is the main reason FAA doesn't offer any incentives duing demonstration.

Offline Allan F

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Re: Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2021, 07:07:28 PM »
BRILLIANT - this was in a discussion with a female airline pilot, who absolutely thought that was bad information.
Well, it is like this: The truth doesn't need insults. Insults are the refuge of a darkened mind, a mind that refuses to open and see. Foul language can't outcompete knowledge. And knowledge is the result of education. Education is the result of the wish to know more, not less.

Offline Dalhousie

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Re: Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2022, 01:26:05 AM »
See Aircraft Evacuations Onto Escape Slides and Platforms I: Effects of Passenger Motivation, DOT/FAAAM-96/18.

From this page:  https://www.flightglobal.com/do-aircraft-evacuation-tests-work/82508.article
Quote
In this study, the 'competitive' group were offered a financial bonus of $50 to be among the first 25% passengers to evacuate the arcraft. However, the passengers in the competitve trials "...(became) more aggressive and climbing over seats, outmaneuvering other passengers, etc. to get out quickly" resulting in broken over seat backs, among others. I suspect participant safety is the main reason FAA doesn't offer any incentives duing demonstration.

This seems to be removed from the current version of the article

Offline Glom

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Re: Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2022, 03:46:03 PM »
Do we really care about broken seat backs? If the aircraft needs evacuating, it is probably a write off anyway.

Offline ka9q

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Re: Looking for study about evacuation of aircraft
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2022, 02:11:41 AM »
I suspect the idea was to make the test a little less unrealistic. In a real evacuation you're anxious to get out, and that will naturally make (some) people rather competitive. It's a little unethical to motivate a test subject by threatening to harm them for being slow, so perhaps they figured a positive reward might suffice. But I think it's still a very different situation.